OAKVILLE, Ont. - The Sheridan Bruins men's volleyball team (9-11, 7-10 OCAA) nearly climbed out of a 2-0 hole, but saw their comeback bid stall in the fifth set of a 3-2 (25-22, 25-18, 24-26, 22-25, 15-10) loss to Mohawk. 

In a tight opening set, the Bruins were first to 20, leading 20-18. But the momentum - and the lead - slipped away from them after a 6-1 Mohawk run gave the visitors a commanding 24-21 advantage that they were able to convert into a 1-0 lead. 

Sheridan struggled to get on track in set two, falling into a 16-8 hole, and never fully recovering. Their backs were against the wall late in the third, trailing 20-16, but a 6-2 run pulled them even at 22-22. Mohawk had match-point leading 24-23, but the Double Blue scored the final three points in the frame to extend the match. 

They upped their execution late in the fourth to send the contest to a fifth-and-deciding set. The visitors led 8-6 at the changeover, and took command of the frame with a 5-2 run following the switch in sides.

Andrew Cianci scored a team-high 21 points on 18 kills and three blocks, while Marcus Ahmadzai was also in double figures with 14 kills and one block. Liam Butchereit led the defensive charge with 41 digs, bettering his previous career-best by 13. 

The result locks the Bruins into seventh place in the OCAA West and means they will travel to Ottawa to take on La Cite in an OCAA Championship qualifier. They will complete the regular season with a trip to Conestoga on Feb. 9. 

Blue notes: After only playing the minimum three sets in each of their six January matches, the Bruins have now gone five in both contests this month.